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14 July 2007
Ephesians 4 v 25-29
So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body. When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you. Those who are stealing must stop stealing and start working. They should earn an honest living for themselves. Then they will have something to share with those who are poor.
When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need - words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.
We mustn't lie, we mustn't steal, fair enough, but some also say that Christians should not get angry. This passage suggests that anger is normal, "when you are angry", and that it is not anger that is the problem, but how we deal with it. Stop being angry before the end of the day - that's hard isn't it? Someone has hurt me and I think I have the right to be angry, I mutter to myself about it, imagine little conversations with the person, and generally have a really good wallow in it all, feeling totally justified in doing so, because after all, they hurt me. Sorry, it doesn't matter how justified I feel, how understandable my anger or hurt, that reaction is sinning - not my words, but the Bible.
But it is hard, so what do we do about it? How do we make sure that we don't give the devil a way into our thoughts and reactions in these situations? A good and wise friend a while ago suggested to me the idea of using Scripture; to ask God for a passage that would speak truth into such times, rather as Jesus did when he faced temptation. If we can do that and send the devil packing then maybe we will then also be able to meet the challenge of the final verse, in even these situations, as well as at other times, and to speak words that will help the other person rather than something harmful.
Father, thank you that your Word is like a sword and can defend us against the devil's attacks. Please show me how to use it more effectively in difficult situations in my life. Especially I ask you to show me if there is anyone against whom I am holding onto a grudge and to forgive me. Please help me to be loving rather than resentful towards those who have hurt me. Amen.
Written by Rosemary Thomson
Ephesians 4 v 25-29
So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body. When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you. Those who are stealing must stop stealing and start working. They should earn an honest living for themselves. Then they will have something to share with those who are poor.
When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need - words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.
We mustn't lie, we mustn't steal, fair enough, but some also say that Christians should not get angry. This passage suggests that anger is normal, "when you are angry", and that it is not anger that is the problem, but how we deal with it. Stop being angry before the end of the day - that's hard isn't it? Someone has hurt me and I think I have the right to be angry, I mutter to myself about it, imagine little conversations with the person, and generally have a really good wallow in it all, feeling totally justified in doing so, because after all, they hurt me. Sorry, it doesn't matter how justified I feel, how understandable my anger or hurt, that reaction is sinning - not my words, but the Bible.
But it is hard, so what do we do about it? How do we make sure that we don't give the devil a way into our thoughts and reactions in these situations? A good and wise friend a while ago suggested to me the idea of using Scripture; to ask God for a passage that would speak truth into such times, rather as Jesus did when he faced temptation. If we can do that and send the devil packing then maybe we will then also be able to meet the challenge of the final verse, in even these situations, as well as at other times, and to speak words that will help the other person rather than something harmful.
Father, thank you that your Word is like a sword and can defend us against the devil's attacks. Please show me how to use it more effectively in difficult situations in my life. Especially I ask you to show me if there is anyone against whom I am holding onto a grudge and to forgive me. Please help me to be loving rather than resentful towards those who have hurt me. Amen.
Written by Rosemary Thomson
